Conveyer propelling device



Sept. 5, 41944. H. w. HAPMAN CONVEYER PROPELLING DEVICE Filed June 27, 1941 4 sheets-sheet 1 Sept. w44. H. w. HAPMAN CONVEYER PROPELLING DEVICE Filed June 27, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 5, 1944o H. w. HAPMAN CONVEYER PROPELLING DEVICE Filed June 27, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Srwentor Sept. 5, 1944. H. w` HAPMAN CONVEYg'ER PRPELLING DEVICE Filed June 27, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet ,4

NON

Patented Sept. 5, 1944 CONVEYERTPROPELLING DEvIoE Y' Henry W. Hapman, Detroit, Mich. v

Application June'av, 1941, serialrNo. 399,973

7 claims. (o1. 19a-20s) v This invention relates to propelling devices and in particular to propelling mechanisms for conveyers.

One object of this invention is to provide a conveyer propelling mechanism for resiliently and flexibly propelling the nights of a night conveyer.

bers engaging nights. Y

In -the drawings'f l Figure 1 is anend elevation, partly in section, of the preferred embodiment of the conveyer propelling' device of the invention, wherein both thefopposite sides of the conveyer rotary propelling 'members are power-driven.

Another object is to provide a propelling mechanism for night conveyers wherein the nights are engaged by rotary resilient members, so that the flights may be irregularly spaced or of varying positions.

Another object is to provide a propelling mechanism for night conveyers including one or more rotary members having resilient peripheral portions engaging the edges of the conveyer nights, these resilient peripheral portions being preferably of rubber-like material, either hollow and innated or solid;

Another object is to provide a propelling mechanism for night conveyers wherein the conveyer flights are engaged by rotary members in the form of pneumatic tires mounted upon rims, one Yor more of which are power-driven. y

Another object is to provide a conveyer propelling mechanism having a pair of pulley-like members with peripheral grooves containing resilient ,liners with concave, annular groovesv adaptedto engage the edges of the conveyer nights, and means for driving oneor more of the" pulley-like members.

Another yobject is to provide a propelling mechanism for night conveyers consisting of a movableY base carrying a pair of rotary members with resilient peripheral portions adapted to engage the opposite sides of the conveyer nights, the base also carrying'a motor for driving at least one of the rotary members, the entire as# sembly 'beingmovable out of engagement with the conveyer nights by moving the base upon which theother parts are mounted, thereby givingaccess to theoonveyer nights as well as enabling repairs to be made on the rotary propelling` members or'other parts of the mechanism.

Another object is to provide a night conveyer having elongated nights moving ina conduit of elongated cross-sectionand engaged on opposite sides by resilient rotary propelling members, one or more of which is driven by a motor or other suitable source of power.

Another object is to provide a night conveyer consisting of nights disposed at intervals alonga flexible connector arranged within a conduit having its ends spaced apart and interconnected bya casing containing rotary propelling mem- Figure 2 is Ya" horizontal section taken along AJthe une 2 2 in Figure -1.

Figure 3 isa lvertical section longitudinally.

through the conveyer taken along the line 3-3 in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is' a cross section through the con- Veyer showing one of the conduit connections, takenvalo'ng the lined-4 irl-Figure 3, with the conveyer nights removed.

Figure 5 is a rcentral longitudinal section through the conveyernights and connector removed from Figure 4.

Figure 6 is van 'end elevation, partly in section, of a modincation wherein only one of the rotary propelling members is power-driven.

Figure 7 isa' top plan View, partly in section, of a modincationfwherein the rotary propelling members have concavely grooved annular resilient portions` `for engagement with the conveyer nights.

Figure Y8 is a `central vertical section taken along the line 8 8 infFigure 7 Figure 9 is a top plan View of a further modincationwherein the' conveyer is provided with nights of elongated cross-section driven by rotary propelling members on opposite sides thereof. ,V h

Figure 10 is a vertical 'section taken along the line` Ill-I0 in Figure 9.v

General arrangement l pair of rims are rotatablyk mounted. These rims carry annular resilient members, such as pneumatic tires, andare spaced apart a sunicient distance to permit the passage of a night conveyer between their peripheries. The peripheres are spaced apart slightly less thanthe, diameter of the conveyer nights in order for the peripheries to vyield slightly and thereby provide a driving engagement with the conveyer nights. Both rims maybe power-driven by amotor mounted upon the base, asin heavy duty conveying, or optionally, lonly one of the rims may be driven, in the event oflight duty conveying. The base is vpreferably mounted upon Ytrunnions or is otherwise movable? to permit repairsvupon the parts and to facilitate cleaning of the conveyer mechanism. The conduits through which the night conveyer moves are separated at the driving location, their ends being interconnected by a coupling arrangement (Figures 3 and 4).

A modincation (Figures '7 and 8) provides the rims with annular grooves containing concavely grooved annular driving members, preferably of resilient or rubber-like material, these engaging the opposite edges of the conveyer flights. The driving mechanism for these rims may be similar to that in the other forms` of the invention, where one of the rims is directly driven and the other is idle or drivingly coupled with the direct drive.

A further modification (Figures 9 and 10) provides conveyer nights of elongated cross section and engaged on opposite sides by resilient rotary propelling members as disclosed in the other forms of the invention. Either one or both of these rotary propelling members may be power driven. The invention provides an inexpensive yet efficient means for propelling night conveyers and may utilize standard forms of pneumatic vehicle tires in order to further reduce the cost. The engagement with the conveyer is of a resilient nature so that shocks are absorbed and noise is greatly reduced. The harsh sprockets and conveyer chains previously used are eliminated and with them the necessity for equally spacing the conveyer nights. With the present invention, the conveyer nights may be spaced at odd intervals without seriously affecting the operation thereof, so long as two successive nights may be engaged by the rotary propelling members at one time.

The use of rubber-like resilient propelling members is of great value in conveying abrasive materials, which tend to chip metallic conveyers and which grind away the sprocket teeth and sprocket chains thereof and involve serious wear upon the bearings. Chemical materials may be conveyed, especially when the pneumatic or resilient propelling members are made of synthetic rubber or the like.

Pneumatic double-driven propelling device Referring to the drawings in detail, Figures 1 to 5 inclusive show a preferred embodiment of the invention as consisting of a supporting frame I mounted on pillars Il and having uprights I2 with apertures I3 through which pass trunnion pins I4. The trunnion pins I4 likewise pass through washers or spacers I5 and through they side members I6 interconnecting upper and lower channel members I1 and I8.

Mounted on the upper channel member I1 is an electric motor I9 having a motor shaft 20 provided with a sprocket 2l drivingly engaging a sprocket chain 22. The latter meshes with a sprocket 23 mounted upon the input shaft 24 of a reduction gear set 25 containing a worm 26 mounted on the shaft 24 and meshing with a worm gear 2-1 mounted upon the conveyer drive shaft 28.

The conveyer drive shaft 28 passes downwardly through the base 29 of the reduction gear set 25 through the channel member I1 and through the upper and lower tubular journal members 3D and 3| (Figure 1) which are secured respectively to the upper and lower channel members I1 and IB.

Mounted on the lower end of the shaft 28 is a disk 32 to which is secured an annular rim 33 carrying a pneumatic tire casing 34 With an,

inflatable pneumatic inner tube 35 therein. The tire casing 34 may be of a standard type such as is used for the wheels of motor vehicles.

Mounted on an intermediate portion of the shaft 28 between the upper and lower journal members 30 and 3l is a sprocket 36 drivingly engaging a sprocket chain 31 meshing with a sprocket 38 mounted upon the stub shaft 39 carried by the journal member 40 mounted upon the lower channel member I8. The upper end of the stub shaft 39 carries a gear 4I which meshes with a gear 42 mounted upon a shaft 43 rotatably supported in a vertical journal member 44 mounted upon the lower channel member I8. The lower end of the shaft 43 carries a disk 45 similar to the disk 32, to which is secured a similar annular rim 33, tire casing 34, and inner tube 35.

'The support I8 is in the form of a casing or box having a hopper 46 (Figure 3) with end walls 41 and side walls 48 (Figure 1) extending downwardly therefrom to the discharge spout 49 thereon. The latter is connected to longitudinal channel members 50 connected at their opposite ends to cross members 5I to which are connected the lower ends of arcuate supports 52 (Figure 3), the upper ends of which are supported by angle brackets 53 secured to the hopper end walls 41. The arcuate supports 52 serve to sustain the conveyer conduit portions 54 and 55, therlower portions of which are held in position against the cross members 5I by the outer cross members 56 bolted as at 51 between the longitudinal channel members 50, The outer cross members 56 are provided with contact portions 58 for engagement with the conduitl portions 54 and '55.

The upper ends of the conduit portions 54 and are encircled by hoop-like bands 59 having downwardly-extending lower portions 60 passing beneath the angle brackets 53 and the arcuate supports 52 (Figure 4) and having upwardly-extending parallel portions 6I interconnected by a clamping bolt 62. In this manner the ends of the conduit portions 54 and 55 are nrmly held in proper alignment. Extending between the opposite sides of the hopper 46 and mounted between the angle brackets 53 are supporting rods 63 (Figure 3) having upwardly bent portions 64 terminating in level portions 65 which serve to support the flights 66 of a night conveyer generally designated 61 (Figures 3 and 5). The conveyer nights 66 may be in the form of disks having hubs 68 mounted upon a flexible connector 69 such as a stranded steel cable. The

conveyer nights 61 are spaced apart from one another along the nexible connector 69 Iby tubular spacers 16, preferably of rubber or of rubber-like material such as synthetic rubber. Likewise, the walls of the conduit portions 54 and 55 are preferably of rubber or rubber-like material such as synthetic material. For heavy duty work, the conveyer conduits 54 and 55 are preferably Wire-wound or having Wire or rods incorporated in theirwalls to impartl additional strength while retaining flexibility.

The trunnion pins I4 enable the propelling unit to be swung to one side as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 3. In order to anchor this assembly, the lower channel member I8 is provided with angle members 1I and 12 secured thereto along the lateral flanges thereof 'Ihe angle members 1I and 12 serve as cover members vfor enclosing the top part of the conveyer casing formed by the box-like supporting frame Operation of double-driven pneumatic propelling device In the operation of the propelling device shown in Figures Lto inclusive, the starting of the motor I9 causes the shafts 28 and 43 to be rotated in opposite directions (Figures 1 and 2), thereby causing the pneumatic tires 34 to be rotated in opposite directions. The engagement of the tires 34 with the conveyer flights 66 causes the latter to be propelled along the supporting rods 65, the propelled flights transmitting the propelling force to the other nights through the spacers 1.0 and flexible connector 69. As the conveyer flights E6 pass along the supporting rod 65, they discharge the conveyed materials into the hopper 46 and thence downwardly through the discharge spout 49 into any suitable receiver. The tires 34 may be inflated to the desired amount, and yield as they grip the nights 66 (Figures 1 and- 2) so that a similar propelling movement is imparted to the flight conveyer 61. The flights 6G of the latter need not be evenly spaced, as the tires 34 will accommodate themselves equally wellto unevenly spaced flights, unlike the ordinary conveyers propelled by sprocket chains and sprockets. Y

In the event it is desired to clean the hopper 46 or make repairs or inflate the tires, the bolt 13- is removed (Figure 3), whereupon the device may be swung around the trunnion pins ,I4 into l the dotted line position of Figure 3. Worn tires may also be replaced or the parts `generally overhauled, as desired.

Pneumatic single-driven propelling device The modication shown in Figure 6 is generally similar to the form shown in Figures 1 to 5, in-

clusive and similar parts bear corresponding refshaft 18 of a reduction gear box 19 through a coupling 80, the out-put shaft 8| carrying a bevel pinion 82 which drives a bevel gear 83 mounted on the vertical shaft 84 rotatably supported in the journal 85 secured to the lower channel member I8. Mounted on the shaft 84 is disk, rim and pneumatic tire assembly similar to the disk 32, rim 33, and tire casing 34 shown inl Figure 1. Also mountedon the lower channel member I8 is a tubular shaft bracket 81 carrying a vertical shaft 88 secured thereto as at 89 and having a head 90 for retaining thereon a tire and rim assembly similar to the tire 34 and rim 33 of Figure 1. Hubs 9| and 92 are provided for properly locating the tire 34 and rim 33 upon the shaft 88.

The operation of the form shown in Figure 6 is similar to that of Figure 1 except that only the shaft 84 is positively drivenfrom the motor 16. The left hand tire 34 is freely rotatable and is not positively driven. The device shown in Figure' 6 may be swung upwardly around theA trunnion pins I4 into a position similar to that shown in Figure 3 for repairs or cleaning. The operation of the night conveyer is otherwise similar to that already described in connection with Figures 1 to 5 inclusive.

Propelling device with concave resilient peripheries I The modication shown in Figures 7 and 8 is generally similar as regards most of Vits parts with the form shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive. The shafts 28 and 43 are similarly supported in journals 3| and 44, but are provided with pulleylike members 93 consisting of pulley halves 94 and 95 bolted together as at 96. The pulley halves 94 and 95 are upwardly nanged as at 91 and 98 respectively, thereby providing a peripheral annular groove 99 serving to receive an annular resilient member I08of rubber-like material, such as natural or synthetic rubber. This is provided with a concave annular groove |0| which serves to embrace and drivingly grip the conveyer flights 66 disposed therebetween. As shown in Figure '1, the conveyer flights 66 are of slightly larger diameter than the distance between the bottoms of the grooves IeI, so that the material is slightly depressed as the conveyer flights 66 pass between and are driven bythe resilient members |63. The operation of the modication shown in Figures 7 and 8 is similar to that of the previously described forms of the invention, and either one or both of the shafts 28 and 43 may be power driven.

Pneumatic drive for elongated flight conveyer The modification shown in Figures 9 and 10 travelling in conduits |05 and I 05 formed between the side channel members I 01 and |03 and the horizontal plate members |09 and lli] (Figure 10). The side channel members |01. are provided with apertures III through which the tires 34 project and engage the side portions I I2 of the conveyer nights |03. The tires 34 are mounted upon rims 33 as in previously described forms of the invention, and these in turn are provided with hubs I3 and I I4 by which they are connected to a vertical shaft I I5 rotatably supported in a tubular vertical bracket IIB mounted on the web ||1 of the channel member I I8. The lower end of the shaft II5 carries a bevel gear II 9 which meshes with a bevel pinion |20 mounted upon a cross shaft I2| rotatably supported in brackets |22 secured to the underside of the channel web -I|1.Y The right-hand shaft I|5 (Figure 10) is provided with an extended portion |23 at its lower end, this extended portion carrying a bevel gear |24 which meshes with a bevel pinion |25 mounted upon the motor shaft |26 of a motor |21 secured to the base |28 depending from the lower side of the channel member I1.

The operation of the modification shown inv trunnions in order to perform repairs or replacements.

While specinc embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, it Will be understood that various other modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention. 1

What I claim is:

1. In a conveyer, a flexible connector carrying a multiplicity of closely spaced nights, a pair of spaced shafts on opposite sides of said connector with their axes in parallel relationship, a tirecarrying device on each shaft, a pneumatic tire on each tire-carrying device having its periphery engaging the opposite edge portions of said nights, and means for rotating said tire-carrying devices whereby to rotate said tires and drive said flights.

2. In a conveyer, a nexible connector carrying a multiplicity of spaced nights, a pair of spaced shafts on oppo-site sides of said connector, a tire-carrying device 0n each shaft, a pneumatic tire on each tire-carrying device having its periphery engaging -said nights, and means for rotating both of said tire-carrying devices whereby to rotate said tires and drive said flights.

3. A driving device for a night conveyer having a series of closely spaced nights thereon comprising a frame, a support movably mounted in said frame, a pair of shafts mounted on said support on opposite sides of said conveyer, a pair of rims mounted on said shafts with their radial walls in substantially the same plane, a pair of pneumatic tires mounted on said rims with the peripheral portions of their treads in engagement with the opposed edges of the nights of said night conveyer, and means for driving said shafts.l

4. A driving device for a night conveyor having a series of closely spaced nights mounted thereon comprising a frame, a support movably mounted in said frame, a pair of shafts mounted on said support and disposed on opposite sides of said conveyer, a pair of rims mounted on said shafts with their radial walls in substantially the same plane, a pair of pneumatic tires mounted on said rims with their treads in engagement with the oppo-site edges of the nights of said night conveyor,' and means for driving said shafts, the movable mounting of said support relatively to said frame including trunnions pivotally interconnecting said frame and said support whereby said frame may be rocked on said trunni'ons to swing the pneumatic tires out of engagement with the conveyer nights.

5. A driving device for a night conveyer having a series of closely spaced nights comprising a frame, a support movably mounted in said frame, a pair of shafts mounted on said support extending on opposite sides of said conveyer, a pair of rims mounted on said shafts in spaced parallel alinement, a pair of pneumatic tires mounted on said rims with their treads in engagement with the edges of the nights of said night conveyer, a motor mounted on said support, and means for drivingly connecting said motor to said shafts.

6. A driving device for a night conveyer having a series of closely spaced conveyer nights comprising a frame, a support movably mounted in said frame, a pair of shafts mounted on said support and disposed on opposite sides of the conveyer, a pair of rims mounted on said shafts arranged with their radial walls in the same plane, a pair of pneumatic tires mounted on said rims with the peripheral portions of their treads in engagement with the opposite edges of the nights of said night conveyor, a motor mounted on said support, and means for drivingly connecting Said motor to both of said shafts.

'7. In a night conveyer, a driving device therefor comprising a base, a pair of upwardly-extending shafts journaled in said base projecting on opposite sides of said conveyor, a pair of rims mounted on said shafts above said base with their peripheral portions opposed and their radial walls in substantially the same plane, a pair of pneu- .matic tires mounted on said rims with the opposed portions engaging the edges of said nights, and means for driving said shafts.

HENRY W. HAPMAN. 

